Apple iTV to be Manufactured by Pegatron

Apple Inc is reportedly to launch its next generation set-top box, iTV, in September, which will be manufactured by Taiwan's EMS provider Pegatron Corp, according to industry sources.

The sources said that iTV features a similar architecture to iPhone`s and is installed with iOS, which allows the newest set-top box to run application software downloaded from App Store. Besides, iPhone and iPad are said able to be connected to the device to serve as remote controllers, allowing users to edit videos on TVs via touch screens, though Apple hasn`t confirmed the function.

In fact, Apple once launched Apple TV in 2007, aiming to tap the Internet TV business, but admitted that the product, selling for higher prices but having no Blu-ray DVD player and poorly integrating cable TV shows, was a flop. To stage a comeback, the firm has addressed drawbacks of Apple TV and rebranded the newest set-top box iTV, in hopes of taking advantage of its recent success on consumer electronics to rebuild recognition among consumers in the segment.

In the meantime, Apple has allegedly placed orders for iTV with Taiwan's Pegatron, instead of its largest supplier, Hon Hai Group, in an effort to avoid over-dependence on a single contract supplier. In addition to iTV, Pegatron has also tapped the client's supply chain of CDMA iPhone 4, which will be shipped to the US starting in the first quarter of next year.

Internet TV has emerged as a new platform of application software, attracting a number of globally well-known high tech firms to explore business potential in the segment. For instance, Google has joined hands with Sony and Intel to seize the business chance, and unveiled Google TV this May, which is supplied by Hon Hai Group. That is no wonder that Apple is expected to also launch iTV in September at the earliest, not to lag behind its rivals in the competition.

Source: CENS